2005 Atlantic hurricane season - Definition

The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season will officially begin June 1, 2005, and last until November 30, 2005. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean.

Pre-season forecasts

On December 3, 2004, noted hurricane expert Dr. William Gray and his associates at Colorado State University issued their extended range forecast for the 2005 season. They predict a slightly above-average season, with 11 named storms, 6 reaching hurricane strength, and 3 reaching Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Additionally, they predict a greatly increased chance of a major hurricane striking the East Coast of the United States and the Florida peninsula. However, even these above-normal forecasts are below the activity level of the 2004 season.

Dr. Gray's team defines the average number of storms (1950-2000) as 9.6 tropical storms, 5.9 hurricanes, and 2.3 hurricanes reaching or exceeding Category 3 strength. A normal season, as defined by NOAA, has 6 to 14 named storms, 4 to 8 of which reach hurricane strength, and 1 to 3 of those reaching or exceeding Category 3 strength.

2005 hurricane names

The following names will be used for tropical storms and hurricanes that form in the north Atlantic in 2005. The list is the same as the 1999 list, with the exception of Franklin (replaced Floyd) and Lee (replaced Lenny). This same list will also be used in 2011, except for any retired names.

External links

• William Gray's 2005 Extended Range Forecast (http://hurricane.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2004/dec2004/) (issued December 3, 2004)